Amphibious pumping vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method of moving liquid manure in a liquid manure lagoon involves: driving an amphibious vehicle into the liquid manure lagoon by remotely controlling speed and direction of the amphibious vehicle on the ground, the amphibious vehicle having a ground-engaging propulsion structure for driving the amphibious vehicle on the ground and a floatable vehicle body to float the amphibious vehicle in the liquid manure lagoon; and, moving the liquid manure in the liquid manure lagoon by remotely controlling speed and direction of the amphibious vehicle in the liquid manure lagoon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.18/073,035 filed Dec. 1, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/886,130 filed Aug. 11, 2022, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/201,100 filed Mar.15, 2021 now issued under U.S. Pat. No. 11,491,835 on Nov. 8, 2022,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/891,627filed Jun. 3, 2020 now issued under U.S. Pat. No. 10,974,557 on Apr. 13,2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/157,950, filed Oct. 11, 2018 now issued under patent number U.S. Pat.No. 10,710,422 on Jul. 14, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/586,493 filed May 4, 2017, now issued underpatent number U.S. Pat. No. 10,124,638 on Nov. 13, 2018, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/044,905 filed Feb.16, 2016 now issued under patent number U.S. Pat. No. 9,694,636 on Jul.4, 2017, which is a continuation of international patent applicationPCT/CA2014/050789, filed Aug. 18, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S.patent application 61/867,598 filed Aug. 19, 2013, the entire contentsof which are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to pumps and vehicles equipped for pumping. Inparticular, the invention relates to manure pumps and amphibiousvehicles equipped for pumping liquid manure, such as animal manurecontained in a farm lagoon.

BACKGROUND

Manure produced during animal husbandry, particularly hog and cattlemanure, is transferred by washing to a pit or lagoon for storage priorto removal for land application or further processing. During storage, acrust can develop on the surface of the pit or lagoon that must bedisrupted prior to or during removal of the manure. Pumps are employedfor this purpose with jets that return a percentage of the manure backto the pit or lagoon in the form of a high volume spray to disrupt thecrust and recirculate the manure. Pumps for use in recirculating manurefrom smaller pits are known; however, these pumps are typically suitablefor accessing the pit or lagoon from its edge and are connected to atractor or similar land vehicle for operational power. They aretherefore limited in their ability to recirculate manure to the middleof large lagoons, which are becoming increasing common as the size ofanimal husbandry operations increases.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved pumps and vehicles equippedfor pumping, particularly pumps and vehicles suitable for use with largemanure lagoons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided an amphibious pumpingvehicle comprising: a floatable vehicle body; ground engaging propulsionstructure configured to raise and lower relative to the vehicle body; afluid pump; a first fluid nozzle configured to direct fluid through theair, the fluid nozzle connected by a fluid conduit to the fluid pump;and, a power source configured to provide power to both the groundengaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump.

The floatable vehicle body may be in the shape of a mono-hull, acatamaran or a barge. Floatation of the vehicle body may be provided bya displacement hull, pontoon elements, or buoyant elements, for examplefoam filled buoyant chambers, such as are used for supporting floatingdocks. The vehicle body may be made using a variety of suitablematerials, for example, fiberglass, aluminum, plastics, steel, etc.

The ground engaging propulsion structure may comprise ground engagingelements of the type suitable for powering a vehicle across wet or muddyterrain. For example, the ground engaging propulsion structure maycomprise an endless track or a set of wheels. The set of wheels maycomprise two or more wheels, for example four wheels, six wheels oreight wheels. May be provided in pairs with one wheel of each pairdisposed on opposite sides of the vehicle. When the vehicle comprises aset of wheels, any number of the wheels may be driven in order toprovide propulsion for the vehicle. Although at least two wheels may bedriven, it is preferred that at least four wheels are driven. Althoughthe vehicle may be provided with steering structure configured to changedirection of one or more pairs of wheels, it is preferred that thewheels are independently driven at variable speeds, allowing them to befixed in direction relative to the vehicle body. This providesdirectional control of the vehicle, even in wet or muddy conditionswhere conventional steering is likely to be ineffective due to slidingof the steerable set of wheels. A variety of drive mechanisms may beused to operate the wheels independently at variable speed; for example,at least one motor may be connected to each wheel that is hydraulicallyor electrically operable at variable speed. A transmission mayalternatively be provided with structure configured to allow each wheelto be operated at variable speeds.

The ground engaging propulsion structure is configured to raise andlower relative to the vehicle body. Raising and lowering may be providedby telescoping structure or lever structure configured to pivot relativeto the vehicle body. The lever structure may comprise a linear actuatorthat is driven, for example hydraulically, to cause pivoting of thelever arm relative to the vehicle body and thereby raise or lower thewheels. Each wheel is preferably raised or lowered at the same time.Alternatively, the lever structure may comprise a planetary drive thatis either mechanically or hydraulically powered to cause pivoting of thelever arm.

The vehicle further comprises a power source configured to provide powerto both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump. Thepower source may be self-contained on the vehicle or may be linked toshore. For example, the power source may comprise an internal combustionengine, a fuel-cell, electric batteries, etc. The power source maycomprise an electric motor that may be driven from shore via anelectrical cable. The power source may be connected to a generator forsupplying electrical power to electrical systems on board the vehicle.The power source may be connected to a hydraulic pump for supplyinghydraulic fluid pressure to hydraulic systems on board the vehicle. Thepower source may be connected to the fluid pump hydraulically,electrically, or via a mechanical drive. A single power source may beused to provide power to all vehicle systems, including the fluid pump.In one embodiment, the power source is an internal combustion enginethat is connected to the fluid pump and a hydraulic pump via amechanical drive. The mechanical drive may comprise a gearbox to providean appropriate rotational speed for the fluid pump. The mechanical drivemay comprise a gearbox to provide an appropriate rotational speed forthe hydraulic pump. The fluid pump and hydraulic pump may be operated atthe same or different rotational speeds.

The fluid pump may comprise a pump housing configured for immersionwithin the fluid. The pump housing may comprise a bottom fluid inlet andat least two tangential fluid outlets. A greater number of tangentialfluid outlets may be provided, for example three fluid outlets. Thetangential fluid outlets may be combined into a single fluid conduit fordirecting the combined output of the fluid pump to a desired location.The vehicle may comprise structure configured to cause raising andlowering of the fluid pump, especially the fluid pump housing, relativeto the vehicle body. For example, a hydraulically or electrically drivenlinear actuator may be provided on the vehicle and configured to raiseand lower the fluid pump. This may be accomplished via a telescopingstructure or a lever structure of the vehicle. The tangential fluidoutlets may be equipped with flexible or telescoping connections to thesingle fluid conduit. Lowering the fluid pump for immersion into thefluid obviates the need for priming the fluid pump, which can beproblematic when the fluid is manure comprising solid materials that canplug the pump or priming structure. Immersion of the pump alsosimplifies intermittent operation of the pump, due to eliminatingpotential loss of prime, and reduces the need for pump maintenance.

The vehicle comprises a first fluid nozzle configured to direct fluidthrough the air. The fluid nozzle is connected by fluid conduit to thefluid pump. The fluid conduit connecting the fluid nozzle to the fluidpump may comprise the single fluid conduit that is connected to thetangential fluid outlets of the pump. The vehicle may further comprise aplurality of fluid nozzles comprising the first fluid nozzle and atleast one second fluid nozzle connected to the fluid conduit. The firstfluid nozzle may comprise a front nozzle and the second fluid conduitmay comprise the rear nozzle or a pair of rear nozzles. The plurality offluid nozzles may comprise at least two side fluid nozzles on oppositesides of vehicle connected to the fluid conduit. The at least two sidefluid nozzles may comprise a pair of fluid nozzles on opposite sides ofthe vehicle connected to the fluid conduit; thus, the at least two sidefluid nozzles may comprise a total of four fluid nozzles. The vehiclemay further comprise valve structure configured to proportion fluid flowbetween the plurality of fluid nozzles. The valve structure may comprisea valve corresponding to each fluid nozzle. The valve corresponding toeach fluid nozzle may be actuatable, for example hydraulically orelectrically. The valve structure may be actuatable remotely.

The plurality of fluid nozzles and the valve structure may cooperate toprovide directional control, motive power, or a combination thereof forthe vehicle when floating. For example, by closing valve structureassociated with the fluid nozzle(s) on the right side of the vehicle,fluid flow is directed to the nozzle(s) on the left side of the vehicle,causing the vehicle to turn to the right. In one embodiment, steering isachieved solely by cooperation of the plurality of fluid nozzles and thevalve structure; accordingly, the vehicle does not comprise a rudder. Inone embodiment, movement of the vehicle while floating is achievedsolely by cooperation of at least the second fluid nozzle and the valvestructure; accordingly, the vehicle does not comprise a propeller.

One or more fluid nozzles may comprise adjustment structure that ispowered and configured to adjust an angle of the fluid nozzle relativeto the floatable vehicle body. For example, the first fluid nozzle maycomprise first adjustment structure and the second fluid nozzle(s) maycomprise second adjustment structure, each adjustment structureconfigured to adjust an angular orientation of its respective fluidnozzle(s) in a vertical and/or horizontal plane. In one embodiment, boththe first fluid nozzle and the second fluid nozzle(s) are adjustable ina vertical plane. The second fluid nozzle(s) is/are adjustable in thevertical plane by an amount sufficient to cause forward or backwardmovement of the vehicle when floating. In other words, the second fluidnozzle(s) is/are adjustable to point at least partially toward the frontof the vehicle at least partially toward the rear of the vehicle. Thesecond fluid nozzle(s) may be configured to direct fluid through the airin a substantially downward direction. The first fluid nozzle may beconfigured to direct fluid through the air in a substantially upwarddirection. The side fluid nozzle(s) may be configured to direct fluidthrough the air in a substantially downward direction. One or more sidefluid nozzle(s) may comprise adjustment structure configured to adjustan angular orientation of its respective side fluid nozzle(s) in avertical plane.

The location of at least the ground engaging propulsion structure, thepower source and the fluid pump may be selected to provide a desiredlocation for a center of gravity of the vehicle. The desired locationfor the center of gravity of the vehicle may be selected to improvehandling characteristics of the vehicle while floating. The center ofgravity may be located along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.The center of gravity may be located substantially in the middle of thevehicle, for example at an intersection of longitudinal centerline ofthe vehicle and the transverse centerline of the vehicle. The center ofgravity may be located rearward of the transverse centerline of thevehicle. The center of gravity may be located forward of the transversecenterline of the vehicle. Thus the ground engaging propulsionstructure, power source, and fluid pump cooperate together to improvehandling characteristics of the vehicle.

The vehicle may comprise remote control structure configured to causethe vehicle to be remotely controllable by an operator remote from thevehicle. The vehicle may be remotely controllable by an operator remotefrom the vehicle when the vehicle is ground engaging and when thevehicle is floating. The remote control structure may comprise awireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The remote controlstructure may be configured to control the speed and or direction of thevehicle when ground engaging and when floating. The remote controlstructure may be configured to control an amount of fluid flow from atleast the first nozzle. The remote control structure may be configuredto control an angular orientation of at least the first nozzle relativeto the vehicle body. The remote control structure may be configured tocontrol an amount of fluid flow from at least the second nozzle(s). Theremote control structure may be configured to control an angularorientation of at least the second nozzle(s) relative to the vehiclebody. The remote control structure may be configured to control thevalve structure in order to proportion fluid flow between the pluralityof fluid nozzles. The remote control structure may be configured tocontrol rotational speed of the fluid pump. The remote control structuremay be configured to raise and lower the fluid pump. The remote controlstructure may be configured to raise and lower the ground engagingpropulsion structure. The remote control structure may be configured tostart and stop the power source.

Further features of the invention will be described or will becomeapparent in the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodimentsthereof will now be described in detail by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the vehicle withwheels lowered;

FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the vehicle with wheels raised;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the underside of the vehicle; and,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a set of wheels of the vehicle fromthe underside of the vehicle;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the first fluid nozzle of vehicle;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a second fluid nozzle of the vehicle;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a mechanical drive connecting thepower source of the vehicle to the fluid pump and a hydraulic pump ofthe vehicle;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the fluid pump from the underside ofthe vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing the figures, like features are referred to by likereference numerals. Although not all features indicated on a particulardrawing are necessarily described with reference to that drawing, all ofthe features are described with reference to at least one of thedrawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , an amphibious vehicle comprises a vehicle body1 incorporating buoyant elements 2. The buoyant elements compriseflotation tanks of the type that may be foam filled and used, forexample, in the construction of floating docks. The vehicle comprises aground engaging propulsion structure comprising two sets of wheels 3, 4.Each wheel is rotatably mounted to lever structure 5 that is pivotallyattached to the vehicle body. Each lever structure 5 is driven by ahydraulic actuator 6 that is operable to cause raising and lowering ofthe wheels 3, 4 by pivoting of the lever structure 5. A power source 7comprising an internal combustion engine, for example a diesel engine,is mounted to the vehicle body. A mechanical drive 8 connects the powersource 7 to the fluid pump 9 and a hydraulic pump 10 that is used toprovide hydraulic system fluid pressure for the vehicle.

The fluid pump 9 comprises a pump housing 18 with three tangential fluidoutlets 19 that are combined into a single fluid conduit 20. The singlefluid conduit 20 is then split into left side 21 and right side 22 fluidconduits which connect at the front and rear of the vehicle to form acomplete circuit. The fluid pump 9 is thus fluidically connected to allfluid nozzles of the vehicle via the fluid conduits 20-22.

A first fluid nozzle 11 is provided at a front of the vehicle. The firstfluid nozzle 11 comprises first articulation means 12 that ishydraulically powered to cause the nozzle to change angular orientationrelative to the vehicle body 1 in a vertical plane. A pair of secondfluid nozzles 13 is provided at a rear of the vehicle. The second fluidnozzles 13 comprise a second articulation means 14 that is hydraulicallypowered to cause the nozzles to change angular orientation relative tothe vehicle body 1 in a vertical plane. The first and second fluidnozzles are part of a plurality of fluid nozzles of the vehicle. Theplurality of fluid nozzles further comprises side fluid nozzles 16, 17on opposite sides of the vehicle. A pair of left side fluid nozzles 16and a pair of right side fluid nozzles 17 are provided.

Valve structure comprising a valve 15 corresponding to each fluid nozzle11, 13, 16, 17 is also provided. The valves 15 are powered and operableto open or close. The valves 15 may be opened fully or partially toproportion flow between the plurality of fluid nozzles. Cooperationbetween the valves 15 and the plurality of fluid nozzles is used toprovide directional control and motive power for the vehicle whilefloating. For example, proportioning fluid flow from the right sidefluid nozzles 17 to the left side fluid nozzles 16 causes the vehicle toturn to the right will floating. Similarly, fluid flow may beproportioned between the first fluid nozzle 11 and the second fluidnozzles 13 to cause the vehicle to move forward or backward. By rotatingthe second fluid nozzles 13 fully downwardly and then up toward thefront of the vehicle using the second articulation means 14, the vehiclemay also be directed rearward and/or slowed in its forward movementspeed. Thus, the combination of proportioning flow between the pluralityof fluid nozzles using the valve structure and/or articulating thenozzles may be used to control forward, rearward, left and rightmovement and speed of the vehicle. The flow rate of the fluid pump 9 mayalso be adjusted to enhance directional and speed control via theplurality of nozzles while floating.

Referring additionally to FIG. 4 , each wheel of the front set of wheels3 is rotatably attached to its corresponding lever 5 by a spindle 23.Fixedly mounted to lever 5 is a bracket 24 supporting a pair ofhydraulic motors 25. Each hydraulic motor 25 has an output gear (notshown) that is engaged with a drive gear 26. The drive gear 26 isfixedly attached to a rim 27 of each wheel 3 concentric with the spindle23. Referring to the right side wheel of the set of wheels 3 (showing aninterior of the rim 27), operation of the hydraulic motors 25 in aclockwise direction causes the drive gear 26 to rotate in acounterclockwise direction, moving the vehicle forward. Reversing thedirection of operation of the hydraulic motors 25 causes the vehicle tomove rearward. By increasing the rotational speed of the hydraulicmotors 25 on the right side relative to the motors 25 on the left side,the vehicle is caused to turn to the left. The motors 25 connected tothe rear set of wheels 4 work in a similar manner to those described forthe front set of wheels 3. Thus, directional and motive control of thevehicle (forward/reverse) while on land is controlled by varying therelative speed and rotational direction of the hydraulic motors 25.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , the first fluid nozzle 11 is able to changeangular direction in a vertical plane relative to the vehicle body 1through operation of a powered first articulation means 12. The firstarticulation means 12 comprises a hydraulic first articulation cylinder28 that is coupled to a four bar linkage 29. The four bar linkage servesto amplify the effective stroke length of the first articulationcylinder 28 to cause the nozzle to move through a larger degree ofmotion in the vertical plane than if the linkage 29 were not present.The first fluid nozzle 11 is connected to the fluid conduits 21, 22 viaa flexible conduit 30 that permits articulation of the nozzle. Valves 15are provided to proportion flow to the first fluid nozzle in a manner asdescribed previously.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the second fluid nozzles 13 are connected to thefluid conduits 21, 22 by articulation means 14 that comprises ahydraulic second articulation cylinder 31 mounted to the vehicle body 1and connected to a rotatable conduit section 32. Actuation of the secondarticulation cylinder 31 causes the rotatable conduit section 32 torotate relative to the first and second fluid conduits 21, 22. Thesecond fluid nozzles 13 are provided on rotatable conduit section 32 andthus rotate with the conduit section 32 upon actuation of thearticulation cylinder 31. This causes the nozzles 13 to change angularorientation relative to the vehicle body 1 in a vertical plane. Thegeometry of the second articulation cylinder 31 and the rotatableconduit section 32 is such that the nozzles 13 may be rotated fullydownwardly and then upwardly towards the front of the vehicle. Thisallows an operator to change the amount of forward movement to slow oreven reverse forward movement of the vehicle. When operated inconjunction with the valves 15, the nozzles 13 and second articulationstructure 14 provide a high degree of control over forward and reversemovement of the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the power source 7 comprises an internalcombustion engine connected to a mechanical drive 8 that delivers powerto the pump 9 (not shown in FIG. 7 ) and also to the hydraulic pump 10that is used to provide hydraulic fluid pressure to the vehicle'shydraulic systems. A transmission is provided within the mechanicaldrive 8 that allows the rotational speed of the fluid pump 9 to beadjusted independently of the rotational speed of the hydraulic pump 10.The power source 7 is thus mechanically connected to both the fluid pump9 and the hydraulic pump 10.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the fluid pump 9 comprises a pump housing 18comprising three tangential fluid outlets 19 that are connected viaflexible pump outlet conduits 33 to a combiner 34 that is used tocombine the fluid output of the tangential fluid outlets 19 into thesingle conduit 20. A pump actuation cylinder 35 is provided to causeraising and lowering of the pump 9 and especially the pump housing 18relative to the vehicle body 1. A telescoping pump support structure 36is provided for use in combination with the pump actuation cylinder 35.A mechanical drive shaft (not shown) runs through the telescoping pumpsupport structure 36 to provide power to the pump impeller 37. Whenpowered, the impeller 37 draws the fluid to be pumped through anenlarged bottom fluid opening 38 of the pump housing 18. By immersingthe pump housing 18 in the fluid, fluid is allowed to enter the pumphousing, thereby obviating the need for priming the pump. Raising thepump 9 via the pump actuation cylinder 35 and telescoping pump supportstructure 36 allows the vehicle to exit the lagoon (or similar fluidreservoir) without damaging the pump. Thus, these structures cooperatewith the ground engaging propulsion structure to allow the vehicle tooperate on land.

An example of a pump 9 suitable for use with the vehicle is disclosed inco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/038,189 filed Mar. 1,2011, entitled Pump for Immersion Within a Fluid Reservoir, which isincorporated herein by reference.

The location of at least the ground engaging propulsion structure, thepower source and the fluid pump are selected to provide a desiredlocation for a center of gravity of the vehicle. The desired locationfor the center of gravity of the vehicle is selected to improve handlingcharacteristics of the vehicle while floating. The center of gravity islocated along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, substantiallyin the middle of the vehicle.

A remote control structure 40 comprises an antenna configured to causethe vehicle to be remotely controllable by an operator remote from thevehicle. The remote control structure comprises a wireless transmitterused by the operator and a wireless receiver on the vehicle. Thewireless receiver interfaces with a hydraulic control center on thevehicle to permit control of hydraulically operated components, such ashydraulic cylinders, valves, motors, etc. This allows the operator tocontrol vehicle speed and direction on land or when floating, to raisethe wheels and to change the angular orientation of the first and secondfluid nozzles. A wireless engine starter is provided to controloperation of the internal combustion engine used as a power source. Aset of hydraulic controls is optionally provided to modulate enginespeed and/or fluid pump rotational speed. Thus, a variety of functionsmay be controlled remotely that allow the vehicle to operate on land orwhen floating.

In operation, an operator uses the remote controls to maneuver thevehicle to the lagoon entrance, drive the vehicle into the lagoon, raisethe ground engaging propulsion structure (wheels), lower the fluid pump,begin pumping fluid with the fluid pump through the fluid conduits andselectively open at least the second fluid nozzles to cause the vehicleto move out on to the surface of the lagoon. The valves associated withthe side fluid nozzles may also be opened or closed to providedirectional control of the vehicle on the lagoon. Once the vehicle is inthe desired position, the valves associated with the first fluid nozzleare opened and the first articulation structure is used to position thefirst fluid nozzle at a desired angular orientation relative to thevehicle body. This is generally an upward orientation so that the fluidis sprayed widely to break crusts of material floating on the surface ofthe lagoon. In this manner, fluid is recirculated and directed todesired locations in the lagoon. As fluid is emptied from the lagoon,the floating vehicle is permitted to lower with the fluid level. Whenthe lagoon has been sufficiently emptied, the operator is able toreverse the foregoing process in order to maneuver the vehicle to thelagoon exit, lower the wheels, and drive the vehicle up the muddy bankout of the lagoon.

The novel features will become apparent to those of skill in the artupon examination of the description. It should be understood, however,that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments,but are intended by the inventor to be given the broadest interpretationconsistent with the wording of the claims and the specification as awhole.

1. A method of moving liquid manure in a liquid manure lagoon, themethod comprising: driving an amphibious vehicle into the liquid manurelagoon by remotely controlling speed and direction of the amphibiousvehicle on the ground, the amphibious vehicle comprising aground-engaging propulsion structure configured to drive the amphibiousvehicle on the ground and a floatable vehicle body configured to floatthe amphibious vehicle in the liquid manure lagoon; and, moving theliquid manure in the liquid manure lagoon by remotely controlling one ormore of the speed and direction of the amphibious vehicle in the liquidmanure lagoon.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing aportion of the liquid manure to further move the liquid manure in theliquid manure lagoon.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprisingremotely orienting the directed portion of the liquid manure to directthe portion of the liquid manure to a different location in the liquidmanure lagoon.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising remotelyoperating a power source of the amphibious vehicle.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the power source comprises an internal combustionengine.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising remotely operatinga hydraulic system of the amphibious vehicle, the hydraulic systemcomprising a hydraulic motor powered by the power source.
 7. The methodof claim 1, further comprising recirculating at least a portion of theliquid manure in the liquid manure lagoon by remotely controlling aliquid manure pump of the amphibious vehicle.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the method further comprises pumping at least a portion of theliquid manure from the liquid manure lagoon through at least one conduitof the amphibious vehicle thereby: a) controlling the speed and/ordirection of the amphibious vehicle in the liquid manure lagoon; b)recirculating at least a portion of the liquid manure in the liquidmanure lagoon; or c) both controlling the speed and/or direction of theamphibious vehicle in the liquid manure lagoon and recirculating atleast a portion of the liquid manure in the liquid manure lagoon.
 9. Amethod of at least partially emptying a liquid manure lagoon, the methodcomprising: remotely maneuvering an amphibious vehicle on the ground tothe liquid manure lagoon; remotely driving the amphibious vehicle on theground into the liquid manure lagoon; remotely positioning theamphibious vehicle in the liquid manure lagoon; removing liquid manurefrom the liquid manure lagoon; and, remotely maneuvering the amphibiousvehicle in the liquid manure lagoon to a position where the amphibiousvehicle can be removed from the liquid manure lagoon.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising remotely driving the amphibious vehicle outof the liquid manure lagoon at the position where the amphibious vehiclecan be removed from the liquid manure lagoon.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the method further comprises pumping at least a portion of theliquid manure from the liquid manure lagoon through at least one conduitof the amphibious vehicle thereby: a) controlling the speed and/ordirection of the amphibious vehicle in the liquid manure lagoon; b)recirculating at least a portion of the liquid manure in the liquidmanure lagoon; or c) both controlling the speed and/or direction of theamphibious vehicle in the liquid manure lagoon and recirculating atleast a portion of the liquid manure in the liquid manure lagoon. 12.The method of claim 11, further comprising changing flow rate of theliquid manure through the at least one conduit.
 13. The method of claim12, comprising controlling at least one valve in the at least oneconduit or controlling the speed of the pumping to change the flow rateof the liquid manure through the at least one conduit.
 14. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising directing a flow of at least a portion ofthe liquid manure pumped through the at least one conduit to a desiredlocation in the liquid manure lagoon.
 15. The method of claim 11,further comprising directing a flow of at least a portion of the liquidmanure pumped through the at least one conduit through the air.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising changing a direction of the flowof the liquid manure.
 17. The method of claim 9, further comprisingchanging the speed of a hydraulic pump and/or a hydraulic motor of theamphibious vehicle.
 18. The method of claim 9, further comprisingindependently changing the speed of a hydraulic pump and a hydraulicmotor of the amphibious vehicle.
 19. The method of claim 9, wherein theliquid manure is removed from the liquid manure lagoon by a liquidmanure pump situated at the edge of the liquid manure lagoon.
 20. Asystem for at least partially emptying a liquid manure lagooncomprising: an amphibious vehicle configured to move liquid manure inthe liquid manure lagoon, the amphibious vehicle comprising: a floatablevehicle body, a ground engaging propulsion structure, a power sourceconfigured to provide power to move the vehicle both when the vehicle isground engaging and when the vehicle is floating in the liquid manurelagoon, and a wireless remote control configured to enable an operatorremote from the vehicle to: (1) control the power source; (2) control atleast one of the speed and direction of the vehicle when the vehicle isground engaging; and, (3) control at least one of the speed anddirection of the vehicle when the vehicle is floating in the liquidmanure lagoon; and, a liquid manure pump configured to remove liquidmanure from the liquid manure lagoon.
 21. The system of claim 20,wherein the liquid manure pump is situated in the liquid manure lagoon.22. The system of claim 20, wherein operating the amphibious vehicle inthe liquid manure lagoon breaks crusts of material floating on thesurface of the liquid manure lagoon.
 23. The system of claim 21,wherein: the liquid manure pump is a first liquid manure pump; and, theamphibious vehicle comprises a second liquid manure pump configured todisrupt the liquid manure in the liquid manure lagoon when theamphibious vehicle is floating in the liquid manure lagoon.
 24. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein: the liquid manure pump is a first liquidmanure pump; and, the amphibious vehicle comprises a second liquidmanure pump configured to disrupt the liquid manure in the liquid manurelagoon when the amphibious vehicle is floating in the liquid manurelagoon.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the second liquid manurepump comprises a rotating shaft having an impeller configured to moveliquid manure in the liquid manure lagoon to both propel the amphibiousvehicle and disrupt the liquid manure in the liquid manure lagoon, thesecond liquid manure pump comprising a bottom fluid inlet configured tobe immersed in the liquid manure when the vehicle is floating, wherebythe impeller is configured to draw liquid manure to be pumped throughthe bottom fluid inlet.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the secondliquid manure pump comprises a housing and the bottom fluid inlet is inthe housing.
 27. The system of claim 26, further comprising: an outletin fluid communication with the second liquid manure pump, wherein thesecond liquid manure pump is configured to pump liquid manure throughthe outlet; and, a hydraulic articulation cylinder configured to changean orientation of the outlet relative to the vehicle body.
 28. Thesystem of claim 23, wherein: the floatable vehicle body comprises afirst buoyant element on a first side of the vehicle body and a secondbuoyant element on a second side of the vehicle body; the groundengaging propulsion structure comprises a first front wheel, a secondfront wheel, a first rear wheel, and a second rear wheel, wherein thefirst front wheel and the first rear wheel are on the first side of thevehicle body and the second front wheel and the second rear wheel are onthe second side of the vehicle body, and wherein the first buoyantelement is between the first front wheel and the first rear wheel andthe second buoyant element is between the second front wheel and thesecond rear wheel; and, the power source is configured to provide powerto both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the second liquidmanure pump.
 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the wireless remotecontrol further controls the power source.